Health cuts prompt protests

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Health cuts prompt protests

3News NZ

Protesters claim the cuts are unfair on the poor

Protesters claim the cuts are unfair on the poor

Around 50 people have protested outside Wellington Hospital this morning, angry the local District Health Board has cut primary health care funding by almost $300,000.

The Capital And Coast DHB is trying to save $20 million this year, and it's cutting Newtown Union Health Service's funding by almost 8 percent.

The service processes almost 7000 patients a year, many of them beneficiaries, and they've been forced to increase fees to cover the cuts.

Opponents say the New Zealand health system treats poor people unfairly.

"Part of why it's unfair is because poor people don't get the access that middle class and better off people do, and the reason they don't get access is because they don't get in to the first level which is primary care," says Prof Don Matheson of the Massey University Centre for Public Health.

Protesters have asked the DHB to reverse the funding decision, and they expect to hear back in a week.

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Comments

14/08/2012 2:01:33 p.m.

Moera wrote:

The cuts are unfair. Beneficiaries and lower income people are taxpayers and are also entitled to recieve care that mid-high income people enjoy. These low income families are stretched to capacity and the govt will keep adding and adding to their plight making it so bad they're forced to resort to unsavory things

14/08/2012 12:27:57 p.m.

Bruce wrote:

@Tom, You seem to be confusing "Socialism" and "communism". They both have fundamental differences, Socialism is usually born from the "capitalist" system. Communism is an extreme form of socialism.

14/08/2012 9:08:41 a.m.

David wrote:

@Christopher.. which is only one of many names you post under including female names. Euthanasia is about helping someone to pass who has no hope of recovery, no hope of getting better. The person choses to have this happen to themselves. Old people according to John Key are disposable or have you forgotten the teapot scandal?. How pathetic do you have to be to use that argument... one you obviously know little to nothing about. How pathetic.

12/08/2012 11:00:37 a.m.

Christopher wrote:

'Trina' - its Labour that's promoting the euthanasia bill - you know the one designed to kill off elderly Kiwi folk. Labour are the ones that want to kill off Kiwis - not National. Old people according to Labour are disposable. Totally disgusting and you support them. Go look at your self in the mirror. Moron.

11/08/2012 6:15:46 p.m.

trina edmonds wrote:

don't worry people national in a third term plan to sell out health syestem and be like the usa aint that wonderful . if yoiu got no insurance no treatment just stay crippled you wont get a new hip . the only thing they would be obligated to is stabilize you if your at the point of death . oh and by the way you still get the bill . go for it kiwis i dare you .

10/08/2012 7:09:54 p.m.

David wrote:

@Tom try reading an actual definition. Was it the poor that caused the recession? No it was self involved capitalists that cared nothing about anything but themselves. Capitalist are immoral, antisocial, generally incapable of dealing with reality. Having dealt with the New Zealand health system I know how bad it is... ranked internationally just above third wolrd countries. A major shortage of General practitioners and specialist doctors. Many illnesses that are recognised overseas are not diagnosed here. Funding cuts = more errors, increased chance of death. By the way for those of us who live in Wellington... Wellington Hospital is referred to by locals as the house of death.

10/08/2012 6:50:56 p.m.

Tom wrote:

Socialists cry "Power to the people". We all know what they really mean — power over people, power to the State. Socialism is nothing but the capitalism of the lower classes. Really the function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level and historically it has done a top class job.

10/08/2012 4:45:30 p.m.

Mike wrote:

Someone like David cant find their own backside with two hands, a map, and instructions! This makes things like budgeting too technical and beyond them. Anything not pro-Labour they will see as being a National Conspiracy and they will see National behind every poster when its obvious they are not!

The budget for health has actually been increased. But what they have done is change the funding so it more accountable. If you have some side-show thats chosing not to be accountable, then they are finding funding drying up, but if they are prepared to be accountable, more funding is available.

What these moaners need to do is tackle their accountability. If they can't justify the spending of taxpayers money, its drying up. Here we have the catch-all claim, its for the poor so we need free money! They can also look to improve services without increasing costs - much like every other sector of NZ tends to do.

The DHB is having to be more accountable to central government for its funding, so its requiring those its funding to be more accountable to it.

Adapt and change. Labour stands for stagnation and disruption by force, hence their emblem of a strongarm. They care only about power so long as they are in control bullying others or their members bullying others like unions tend to do. Notice the bully-boys at the protest? They look like union bully-boys as they they are holding union signs?

10/08/2012 4:15:00 p.m.

David wrote:

Socialism is about sharing, caring and empathy Cheryl. Why do you people think the label is insulting. Capitalist is the absence of good sense, morality and ethics. I guess I am lucky you didnt call me a right winger then I guess. Hate to be one of those self involved egomaniacal empty vessels. At least socialist teach that family and community are paramount. And these happen to be things that National care nothing about.

10/08/2012 3:48:16 p.m.

Cherly wrote:

'DAVID' - go away. Your comments’ are boring and repetitive.
Go write your sycophantic comments of ‘Red Alert’ or ‘The Standard’ forums - you will meet like minded leftie morons like yourself. You can share your misery there - which sums up socialism nicely - shared misery.